I am writing a GoFundMe as a last effort to help my wife and our family. I met my high school sweetheart when I was in sixth grade, and we have been best friends ever since. In 2013, she had to take medication to help with her Lupus Autoimmune Disease and that medication caused a lot of side effects, including bone and tooth loss. It caused her teeth and bones in her jaw to deteriorate and break down, which has led to severe infections, and at one point it was so critical, she had to have a feeding tube for almost a year.

We’ve been to the Mayo Clinic as well as many other surgeons who say that she needs surgery, and she needs it quickly due to the rapid deterioration and chronic infections. We were anticipating insurance covering a good portion of it but because the issue is in the mouth mostly, it is considered dental, so medical insurance cannot cover it. Our dental insurance is paying for a small portion, choosing not to cover it in its entirety so we are trying to raise the remainder of what’s needed to get the help she needs in order to be healthy. She has become resistant to the antibiotics so they aren’t helping anymore, and the infection is starting to spread, which could soon lead a stroke, infections going to her brain or heart or both, and that would end up taking her life.

We’re back at the point where a feeding tube is being discussed. She’s been having a lot of chest pain, to which the heart monitor showed abnormal palpitations and this has taken a toll on her body in so many ways. We have fought so hard and appealed everything we could to try to get this covered, we even went as far as a state appeal, but unfortunately, state statutes are really messed up when it comes to what is and what isn’t covered. Even though they agree that it is medically necessary, plans just don’t cover this type of surgery. She needs her teeth extracted to stop the infections. She needs major bone grafts and implants to prevent complete deterioration of the jaw, as well as sedation and everything else that comes with the procedure. After surgery, there is a huge likelihood that she will not be able to speak again or for at least awhile because the doctors need to remove the muscles around the tongue to do the bone graft. They also need to move the main facial nerve to do the remainder of the bone graft, and there’s a good chance that this operation will leave her face half or fully paralyzed.

She has been very sick and worn out from constant infection so a lot of days are a struggle, but she continues to take care of her family, extending herself and putting her own needs on the back burner. Her focus is on raising our two children, she has aspirations to become a paramedic and we would love to have another child or two once she is feeling better.

Jenna has not wanted this information to be public, but we have no other option since it’s become such an immediate and sever risk to her life. We have attached the bill for her surgery so you can see the charges and also the document that states how needed this is and that her life is at risk. Every dollar donated will be greatly appreciated! If you can’t give monetarily, that’s okay. Please pray, send good vibes, positive thoughts, and/or share this so other people can see it.

Thank you so much.

Mick Birkeland